Priorities

"If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."

I Corinthians 15:19 (NIV)

As we look at our lives and evaluate ourselves what do you see? Can we look at our day planners, checkbooks, and daily lives and see what's really important to us? Do we list our priorities as God, Family, church, etc...yet as we look at our lives there is not much proof of that list? Other things are far more important. Money? Work? Hobbies? Habits? Greed? Ego? Self?
Do we really place ultimate faith, trust, and hope in a relatioship with God? Or are we simply going to church, wearing the name christian, and putting hope that our belief in God is or will be enough to get us through?

Maybe we simply don't want to go to hell or we know that we are supposed to go to church and believe in God, so that is as much as we give to it. Maybe our faith isn't much of a faith at all, but more of idea? Maybe we have some religion, but little personal relationship. It's hard to put God at the top of our list of priorities when we have some belief, but limited faith, some religion, but little relationship. You cannot grow or mature in your faith if it is not at the top of your list.

When we choose golf, hunting, fishing, shopping, ball games, and every hobby, habit, and interest you can think of over our involvement, service, commitment to God through our local church and personal faith. The result? Our list on paper doesn't match up with our heart. God wants us to enjoy this life, but not this life only! God wants our life to be productive, but if all we want is what this life has to offer, we are missing the point of knowing God all together and should be pitied.

This life is not what LIFE is all about. Earthly pleasures are temporary. Everything in this world, including our hobbies and material things are destructive distractions, when their pursuit becomes more important or valuable than knowing, serving, and living a life of relationship with God.

Everyday people throw away marriages, families, and relationships for temporary pleasures or gain. We break vows, stab people in the back, and step on anyone we can to get ahead, get the most, or get what we think will make us happy or content in this world, while ignoring the fact that this life isn't all there is. This life was not meant to be a gamble. This life is not about doing what you want and how you want your whole life and ignore God or put him way down the list of priorities, but hope for the best when you die or hope He'll save you an open seat in heaven.

We must get God off the paper list and into our hearts and He must be first. We must seek to not only believe in God, but develop a strong faith in Him through the pursuit of a relationship with Him that will change our habits, hobbies, relationships, and priorities. It will give our lives balance, clarity, meaning, value, and purpose. If we truly seek to put God first in our lives and in this world to prepare for the next(eternity), we can began to have our priorities in order. Today is a great day to get our priorities straight. It's a process, but one worth working for, not for this life, but eternal life.

a Real Christmas Present

A Real Present at Christmas

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1

This Christmas many of us will give or receive many presents. Most we don't need and could do without. But, one of the things I like about the Christmas holiday is seeing so many people in the giving spirit and also being able to give to others myself. There is something meaningful about giving something to someone else.

I think one present we miss or may be missing in our lives is the actually presence of God. This psalm above is a reminder that God is always present. He's not there some of the time, most of the time, or when he feels like it, or when it's convenient, but He is EVER-PRESENT, which means God constant, always, and 24/7 availability to us.

What a peaceful thought to have, that no matter what we go through, we we live, what happens, and what others may do to us, God is ever-present. No matter our struggle or victory, wealth or poverty, sins or service, pain or joy, shame or glory, and everything in between, we can count on God being there every breath, every step, and every moment.

I celebrate God sending Jesus to be born of a virgin, for His plan of redemption to save the world from its sins. I celebrate the birth of the Christ-child, our Messiah and Savior. If it were not for God sending His son as our sacrifice, we would still be in need of a Savior and lost without Him. However, I want to celebrate the presence of God in my life everyday. I want to always remember that truly God is "Immanuel"-God is with us-ALWAYS. Not just at Christmas, but always. Will you recognize God is ever-present this Christmas?

Do you know?

Do you Know?

"Knowing the Word of God does not necessarily mean that we know the God of the Word."
--Chip Brogden

I came across this quote today and it really made me think. (that's hard for some of you to believe, and smoke didn't come out my ears) We can be students of the bible, memorize verses and scripture, know all the stories and parables. We can study the history and culture of the people and places in the Bible and we can read about all the things about God and Jesus and yes we can have knowledge about God and His word, but not really know GOD.

God is who we really need to know and if we begin to build a personal relationship with him, give our lives to him wholly, and become filled with His spirit, then maybe we will truly get to know God for real, personally, intimately, and not just on paper, by name, or affiliated with our church attendance or status.

We can be raised in church, hear about God, and call ourselves a christian. We can know all our church traditions, slogans, practices, and rituals, but do we really know God? Knowing about God isn't enough. Attending church or volunteering at church isn't enough if our heart isn't truly seeking to know God in a real way.

The christian faith is a process. It's about starting where you are and starting that journey toward knowing God. The more you know about God the more you'll discover Him and hopefully decide to give your life to Him and surrender fully to Him and begin walking in a relatinship with Him. When you ask God into your lives and obey him through salvation and baptism God will give you His spirit to dwell in you and will act as a guide, a compass, and give your life more direction.

Hopefully on this journey through this process you'll begin to read and study His Word, the Bible, and/or get involved in bible study or small groups so that you can mature and grow in your knowledge and faith of God. Not just knowing stories or believing in a God, but growing in a personal real way. It's a journey. We all have to start somewhere, no matter our age. Sometimes even if we've been going to church a long time, we realize we've just been going through the motions and have gotten away from a relationship and just been doing religion.

I pray today you'll discover, re-discover, develop or re-develop, or deepen your faith in God, and not only know the Word of God, but knowing the God of the Word!

Traditions

Traditions
Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your traditions?"

Matthew 15:3(NIV)

(Jesus speaking to Pharisees and teachers because His disciples didn't wash their hands before they ate. Further reading go to Matt. 15:1-20)

Holidays are a great time that many families have annual traditions? Dinner at grandma's, opening presents christmas morning, the reading of "The night before Christmas" or the real Christmas story of Jesus' birth. Maybe the hanging of stockings, or mom making her famous pies?

I'm not sure what traditions you or your family participate in or perform during the holidays. But traditions can be a great part of family or memories. Traditions, however, can also be a negative thing when it comes to our faith. The problem with any tradition in a church is that at some point people begin mistaking and making those traditions gospel, doctrinal, or neccessities.

I find it interesting that the word tradition comes from the Latin traditionem, acc. of traditio which means "a giving up, delivering up, surrendering" (source: wikipedia). In today's culture tradition is more of a custom or practice. What I find interesting is the original intent of the word means "giving up" or "surrending" something and that's the last thing most people want to do when it comes to "traditions".

Having grandpa's famous fudge every year at Christmas is a great tradition and no harm in having it every year as long as grandpa wants to keep making it, but to take a practice or custom at your church that becomes a tradition and force people to never give it up or split the church if leadership ends it, is not biblical or spiritually mature or wise.

Sometimes traditions run their course. Sometimes traditions work great for awhile, but become boring, ineffective, or stagnant. Sometimes traditions were great for one generation, but not for the next. We live in an ever changing world and culture and the church must change with it while keeping the message of Jesus unchanging. There have been many styles of automobiles over the years, but it's still an automobile. The main object doesn't change, only the method or style.

There are certain traditions in church I enjoy or love, but to bind traditions on people because I like it or enjoy it is both wrong and selfish. I'm for traditions in church for as long as they are effective, relevant, and positive. But, I'm also for ending "traditions" and beginning new ones when old ones stop working, growing, or being positive. The church is bigger than one person.

I know I write to many different types of people. Young and old, old school and new school, legalistic and progressive, christian and non-christian, and raised in church and not raised in church. I know the things I share are only my thoughts and opinions, but I hope in some way I can challenge your thinking today and help us all realize that sometimes we all can hold back the church and message of Jesus with our stubbornness, narrow-mindedness, and selfishness whether it's intentional or not, we can all be guilty of it.

I think something that will help us all is for us to know the difference between a tradition and a biblical command. To know the difference between essential doctrines and non-essential traditions. To enjoy traditions while they last, but when they've ran their course, support and enjoy new traditions that our church may try to incorporate or begin. Don't become so attached to a tradition that it becomes gospel, because our traditions may change over time, but the gospel never does.

Real Trophy

I don't mean to self promote and I know everyone is not fond of killing animals, but this past November I was able to go deer hunting over Thanksgiving and I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time and harvest this nice 9-point Whitetail buck back in West Virginia and now I have a freezer full of meat to enjoy this next year.

Many people make preparations for hunting season. Whether they hunt with a bow, a shotgun, rifle, crossbow, pistol, or a muzzleloader many gather the equipment, ammunition, clothing, and many scout out the place in the woods(forest for you city folk) where they think they may be able to see deer to be able to get a chance to shoot at one.

The thing i've always found humorous is the fact that many go overboard in pursuit of that trophy buck. Whether it's how the prepare, dress, or do things to gain an advantage over the deer. Honestly, I make a little effort during bow season to conceal my scent, but during gun season it's all out the window.

I just go out there and with my huge blaze orange coveralls still having yesterdays cologne and hope for the best. During gun season the woods are full of anxious or over-zealous hunters and male deer's (bucks) are chasing female deer's (does) for natural reasons. I would love to tell you I'm a great hunter with all the skill in the world, but the fact is, I enjoy the outdoors, I enjoy hunting, and I am lucky and blessed. I want to fill my deer tag, fill my freezer, and have some good stories to tell, but in the end I'm in the right place at the right time.

The reason I tell you all this is that sometimes as christians we go overboard in our faith and get fanatical or legalistic, when we just need to get back to the basics. Also, finding God is not about being at the right place at the right time, but making a conscience effort to discover God all around us and what He has to offer our lives compared to what the world has to offer.

When I deer hunt I spend a lot of time with God and thinking about my faith. I find a lot of comparisons. Sometimes we get caught up in the pursuit that we miss the prize. Sometimes we get so busy making preparations, we don't enjoy the hunt. Sometimes people hunt for the horns instead of the harvest of meat. Sometimes people worry about things that don't really matter anyway.

Seeking God is the same way. We enjoy the research, but miss God. Sometimes we are so busy serving or doing church, we miss God. Sometimes we seek attention, accolades, or recognition when we need to seek humility, repentance, or submissiveness. Sometimes we get caught up on issues of opinion or preference instead of realizing the freedom we have in Christ and not every issue is a salvation issue.

When deer hunters get caught up in that, they sometimes miss deer, sometimes they miss out on the joy or experience of hunting, or they miss the true meaning or intent. When people get caught up on that, they miss God, they miss out on a true worshipful experience, or something God might be trying to teach them. Sometimes they miss out on spiritual growth, maturity, or blessing.

God is the ultimate prize. Salvation through Jesus is the ultimate trophy. Finding God and making Him Lord of your life is the ultimate hunt.

"Run in such a way as to get the prize." I Corinthians 9:24b(NIV)

Inside Voice: The Sequel

Inside Voice: The Sequel

I guess one article wasn't enough to talk about my big mouth. Last week we talked about saying things without thinking it through, whether they are accidental or not, sort of thinking before we speak.

However, there is another part of that. That is knowing when to stop talking, to be quiet, or to simply shut up. I'm guilty. There are times when I keep talking and I don't realize i should have stopped talking 10 minutes ago. Or there are times when we should not say anymore and just keep them to ourselves, but we don't. We don't stop.

You been there? You with me? How many arguments, problems, or issues could we avoid in our marriages, relationships with loved ones, our parents, our children, co-workers or bosses at work, or even our churches if we'd learn to keep quiet or let go of things that don't matter.

I agree there is a time to speak to let your opinion and feelings be heard. There is a time to stand up for what is right, and there is a time to defend yourself. But, many times like me, I pick the wrong times, or I don't realize the other person has a different personality than me. Not all people respond the same. Sometimes we are just flat out wrong and need to stop talking.

Kids badger parents after they told them no, church members gripe and complain because the chuch doesn't cater to them, spouses overeact to something the other spouse didn't say or do, we chew out a co-worker because we're grouchy or having a bad day, or we get into a disagreement with a friend and won't let it go.

My problem is I like to talk about things (yes I am like a woman). But, what I have trouble with is realizing that you can't always solve everything in one conversation and sometimes you have to take a break or come back to it when both parties are ready, willing, and mentally able to deal with whatever the conversation, issue, disagreement, or problem might be about. I have to learn that sometimes I just need to be quiet and give things time or give other people time to process things. Not everyone feels, thinks, or acts like me. Sometimes silence is best.

I write to encourage you today that as long as we are willing and open to it, we can change. We can mature and grow in areas of our lives where we are weak, blind, or have faults. Half the battle is admitting it or realizing it, then comes the tougher part, trying to overcome and deal with it. But, i can do it, you can do it, and then hopefully our lives will have better communication and healthier relationships and less tension, turmoil, and hurt feelings. I'm a work in progress, but I'm willing to work on it, how about you?

"Even a fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue."
Proverbs 17:28(NIV)

Inside Voice

Does that picture look like you wish you would have done? If you are like me, sometimes I say things without thinking. They pop in my mind and I say them before I have a chance to think if they might be innapropriate? offensive? taken out of context? stupid? annoying? or just plain babbling? I don't mean to or want to come across that way, but when your mind is always racing and thinking and you like to make people laugh sometimes things just come out quicker than you want them to and sometimes things come out that should have just stayed right inside where they belonged.

I'm sure I am not the only person who suffers with this disease of "foot in your mouth". Sometimes it may be funny and sometimes it may be cute when someone spouts off something very random and out of place, but sometimes it can be hurtful. Sometimes we can say something to a loved one or a close friend and we don't think it through and it is hurtful or upsetting. Something else I've learned is the tone we use in our voice.

We can even do it in e-mails. We can spout off in an e-mail and an e-mail can't describe our emotion or facial expressions or tone and it can be taken wrong or out of context or misunderstood. I've learned the hard way that e-mail is not always the best way to communicate and sometimes it's better to talk in person.

One of the things I'm learning is everything we think or feel doesn't need to always be expressed in words. Sometimes I need to keep comments to myself. Sometimes I need to listen instead of talking. Sometimes being quiet and not talking is the best way to avoid a conflict at that particular moment. Life is all about learning and if you are not learning you are not living. It makes no sense to continually make the same mistakes over and over again. We must learn from our mistakes and be better people because of them.

I think Jesus and James both give us something to think about. We must be careful what we say and how we say it. It takes thought, discipline, and maturity to use our mouths and words wisely. I know I need to do a better job, how about you?

"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34b(NIV)

"but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:8(NIV)

the good and the bad

The Good and the Bad

"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other."
Ecclesiastes 7:14(NIV)

It is hard for people to fathom sometimes that God would allow us to go through bad times. I think the above verse let's us in on a little something, no matter whether times are good or bad, God is in control.

Wise writer Solomon reminds us that we should take advantage of the good times and be happy. Some people can't even seem to do that. But, I think we should cherish, take advantage, and captivate those moments in our lives where times are good and we can enjoy happiness. Life does not promise us constant happiness. Happiness is a feeling that comes and goes with our circumstances or moods. Remembering that God is in the good and bad times though, should change our perspective of enjoying the happy times more and persevering through the bad times with hope.

God does not promise us that if we follow Him or live for Him that we will experience all good times and nothing but happy feelings. As a matter of fact, if we would take some time to read His word, we'd discover that following Jesus might mean the opposite. That we should expect opposition, persecution, trouble, and problems. However, when we understand God is in control and that is His Lord of the good and the bad times, it releases us from the burden of trying to carry or deal with that bad time alone.

God through Jesus Christ has already paid the price for our sins. Jesus became our sin. Death has been defeated. Satan cannot win. Eternal life is available to all who will accept and remain faithful. No problem we face, not tragedy we endure, no problem we encounter, and no bad time can overcome the power, strength, wisdom, hope, and love of God. He is God no matter what happens. He is OUR God through the good and the bad.

So enjoy the good times, be happy when you have those moments and when bad times come along, remember you don't have to face them alone, they are temporary, you have a helper, and God is always and will always be God Almighty.

Baggage

Have you ever flew somewhere and then after reaching your final destination you go to baggage claim to get your baggage and you wait and wait until you realize they lost or misplaced your baggage? I've had it happen a couple times, not fun. Luckily it was when I arrived at home, so I wasn't stuck somewhere without clean clothes and I ended up getting my luggage a day or two later.

Life's baggage is a little different. Instead of losing it, we accumalate it. As we go through life and it's experiences we collect baggage and as we continue to live our lives it can really add up and weigh us down if we are not removing it.

Things happen in our lives whether by our doing or someone else's and we begin to carry emotional and mental baggage. Death, divorce, tragedy, loss, hurt feelings, betrayal, lies, gossip, slander, job loss, bad grades, getting cut from the team, break-ups, and the list is plentiful of the things that happen in our lives that leave us bruised, broken, tainted, scarred, and numb: Baggage. It piles up.

If we don't deal with these issues or learn to recover and heal from them, they can really weigh us down and drag our lives in a direction we don't want to go. Undealt with baggage can cause a strain on our relationships, affect new relationships, cause tension, misunderstanding, more hurt feelings, and more confusion, and endless brokenness. Whether it's loved ones, family, children, parents, significant others, co-workers, or classmates.

I don't expect to give you a simple answer in a weekly devotional on how to dump all your baggage at once, but I can challenge you to start moving forward in the right direction today. First, be honest with yourself and admit you have baggage. Secondly, realize what baggage you've caused and where the source of other baggage came from. Thirdly, begin seeking God through prayer and scripture to help you deal with the hurt, anger, pain, depression, and resentment that you might have because of it. Fourthly, find ways to cope, deal, or address issues. Whether that is reading books, attending or serving in church, researching topics on the internet, talking with friends or minister's, or seeking professional or medical help. Fifthly, make an effort to not sabotage, neglect, blame, or hurt current or future relationships because of past pain and baggage.

You have to start somewhere and it may be one piece of baggage at a time, but the more steps you take to get rid of it the lighter your load, the healthier you'll be and feel, and the better your relationships with others will become in the present and future. You can overcome, you can heal, you can lose your baggage, and losing this type of baggage is a good thing. Today is the day.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on the rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
Psalm 40:1-2(NIV)

Safe hands

Safe Hands

"My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me."
Psalm 31:15

Hands. You can tell alot about a person by looking at their hands or by feeling their hands. Whether they work on cars or on a computer. Whether they work inside or outside. You can tell whether a person bites their fingernails as a nervous habit or if they take great care of making their hands look pretty with manicures and keeping them clean and neat.

Hands are used for grasping, reaching, holding, pointing, and waving. Hands can caress our cheek in a show of affection or strike our cheek in a sign of anger. Hands can make us feel loved or rejected. But, God's hands are a place of safety.

God holds our lives in His hands. We can find safety, security, healing, and comfort in the hands of God. Sometimes we need a hand to hold, sometimes we need a gentle touch, sometimes we might even need a swat on top the head to get our attention. God shields us like no other.

No matter what we face in this life by our own mistakes or the fault of others, we can always find refuge in the hands of God. Like a mother touching her new born baby for the first time, a daddy picking up his little crying girl who fell and bruised her knees,or the first time you held hands with your future spouse, or running into the arms of a loved one after time a part; God's hands are so much sweeter than even those precious moments.

Right before Jesus died on the cross he spoke these words, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."(Luke 23:46 NIV) Even the son of God knew where to find peace that only God can give.

Death, divorce, abuse, neglect, depression, bitterness, anger, resentment, betrayal, gossip, addiction, or anything you are experiencing because of your own mistakes or the effects of others mistakes, you can always find a safe place in the hands of God. God will give you a healing and helping touch that you can find in no other.

COPS

COPS

"Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Watcha gonna do when the come for you, bad boys, bad boys."

Last night I got pulled over not once, but twice in the same night, I repeate, I got pulled over by the police not once, but twice. That has never happened to me before? Luckily for me, I had a tail light out and they simply were pulling me over to let me know. The first cop wrote me a warning, the 2nd one after I showed him my warning, let me go. I didn't know I had a tail light out, I would have never known until someone saw me driving at night to tell me.

One thing both cops asked me was, "did you know why I pulled you over?" my answer was "no?" Then they explained about my tail light being out. Sometimes we look at cops as being people who are looking for trouble or who are bored so they look for reasons to give tickets. We also get that sinking feeling in our gut when we see those lights flashing behind us. (I've never gotten a speeding ticket I didn't deserve and wasn't guilty)

However, sometimes when cops are pulling you over it's to help you and to protect you and/or other motorists. It was nice to get pulled over for something I wasn't aware of instead of something I was purposely doing wrong. We need people like this in our lives. People who love us and care about us enough to share with us when they see things wrong in our lives that we can't see or refuse to see.

Sometimes we have things wrong in our lives and we are blind or oblivious to them, and it takes a loving friend or person to "pull us aside" and check in on us and see if we know. We need these people in our lives that will encourage us, support us, and challenge us. We need to be that type of person to our friends and family we love. Police are not only there to write tickets and arrest people who break the law, but they are also there to protect us and watch out for us.

I think God also sends people into our lives to do the same. I think God wants to use us to provide that service to our loved ones. God is all about protecting us in our blind spots and things we ignore, don't see, can't see, or won't see. We should welcome His help he sends us and allow God to use us to help others.

An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth

Several years ago, a group of fellow Youth Minister's and myself went to the National Youth Leaders convention in Joplin, MO. These trips were a blast and some of my best memories. That group of Youth Minister's I worked with during the late 90's and early 2K were awesome guys, great friends, and I cherish them.

However, this one particular trip, trouble struck. There were 5 or 6 of us on this trip and 3 of us got struck with illness the last couple days of the trip. Phil got that nasty stomach virus that causes diarrhea, cramps, vomiting. I got not one toothache, but two. I had filling fall out on one side and an abscess tooth on the other side, which caused me major pain, and Jake got a kidney stone. We were all suffering on the 16 hour drive back home.

We can look back and laugh now, but man during that time, I know we all were in severe pain and gave the other guys some good joke material.

It was very inconvenient to be away from home, be at a convention, and away from our Doctor's and get ill, but stomach viruses, toothaches, and kidney stones are not a respecter of person's or places. I got that same stomach virus at a weekend youth retreat one time, not convenient.
Life happens. It's not always planned, not within our control, and never convenient when it comes to things that take place that cause suffering, pain, trauma, heartache, or misery.

Many times we cause our own pain, but sometimes, things in life happen that aren't our fault, out of our control, and they just happen. SIN. That's why they happen. People often ask, why do bad things happen to good people, and the answer is simple, but hard to accept. SIN.

We live in a world that has sin. Sin has a negative effect on people's lives. A person abuses alcohol or drugs, his family will pay the price as well. A husband hits his wife or kids for no reason, they suffer. A wife cheats on her spouse and leaves him and the kids, they are left to hurt. A person drinks and drives and has an accident that kills an innocent person, and their family is left with the pain and questions. Sin.

Our sin affects other people, not just ourselves. We are free to make choices. We sometimes choose poorly. Our poor decisions not only impact us, but sometimes, many times, other people's lives. We don't think about that, or some people are so selfish, they don't care how it affects others. That is an inconvenient truth.

That is why it's so important for us to make good choices, better decisions, and seek to live a life that not only honors God, but is guided by Him.

We are still going to suffer sometimes because of other people's sin and mistakes, we can't blame God, but understand, we live in a world that is imperfect with imperfect people who do things that have a ripple affect into the lives of others, sometimes us. As long as we live on this earth, we will never totally escape suffering at the hands of other people's mistakes or choices.
However, the less we sin and the better choices me make the better our lives will be and the better the lives will be of the people we come into contact with. We will make a positive ripple affect into the lives of others.

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."

James 3:13(NIV)

Here's your sign!

Bill Engvall made "Here's your sign" jokes famous for people pointing out the obvious in situations. Like a person locking their keys in their car and trying to open the door with a coat hanger and a passer by saying, "hey, you lock your keys in your car?" and you reply, "No, I just washed my car and I'm hanging it up to dry!", "Here's your sign!"

Now there are times where we state the obvious and can make ourselves look dumb, but sometimes when it comes to God's will for our lives, it isn't always that obvious or as clear as the cop sign warning above.

Determing God's will, direction, and purpose in our lives can be tricky, tough, emotional, and a trying process. Sometimes doing the right thing is very simple and obvious, sometimes it takes a lot of thought, prayer, advice, and time.

There are alot of people who get into relationships or situations without seeking or consulting God and it only ends in hurt, damage, and pain. Many people switch jobs, choose colleges or careers, without truly seeking to know if this is the direction God wants them to take. Others go through life making financial, economical, or personal decisions without seeking any direction or involvement from God.

First, we have to seek God. We have to realize that not only does God want a relationship with us, but He also cares about our lives. He cares about who we date, who we marry, what group of friends we hang out with, our schooling, our jobs, our hobbies, and our day to day lives. That doesn't mean God wants to micro-manage us or control our every move, it simply means He knows what is best for us and created our lives to have purpose, value, meaning, and direction. It's hard to have that if we are not looking or seeking God.

Secondly, we have to be open to God's leading. Which means, we are going to have to base decisions on something besides emotions or feelings. We are going to have to be open to going a direction that our flesh or human nature is telling us not to go.

Thirdly, we have to invite God into our lives. Alot of people simply want to just believe in God or believe all good people go to Heaven. You not only have to believe in God, you have to accept Him, repent, be obedient(faith, baptism, confessing him, etc...) and you have to grow and mature in your faith. Part of the maturing process is learning to invite God into your daily lives and decisions. Asking God for wisdom, understanding, and guidance. That is one of the reason's that God gives us His spirit when we are baptized in Him, to guide us.

We have to want to seek God, we have to be open to God's leading, and we have to invite God to be a part of our lives, not just when we become a Christian, but every day in all we do.
It's not easy, you won't always do it right, but the point is to seek, be aware of God, and follow Him in all that you say or do. Then the sign's will become more obvious.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7(NIV)

Target practice

Target Practice

"without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" Hebrews 12:14b-15(NIV)

One definition i've heard of sin is to 'miss the mark' and one definition I like to use of is that sin is 'anything that comes between or before God'. Sin can be an act or an attitude. It can be something we say, do, think, or feel. Missing the mark implies that God is the bullseye and when we fall short or fail we miss the goal.

I got a new bow(it's really used, but new to me, thanks TJ), but i'm just now getting around to using it. I had to buy new arrows and add new equipment to prepare the bow to shoot. Part of that equipment is adding a sight. A sight is the pins you use to aim with, to put on the target. You set pins at different yardage to give you an estimate of distance to the target.
If God is the target and we are aiming to be like Him or honor Him, then we are the archer and how we set our sights and on what does matter in this life.

If we do not have focus, we are going to miss the mark. If we have our our life pointed in the wrong direction we are going to miss the mark. If we do not have our sight set accurately, we are going to miss the mark. If we just try to guess our way through life and not make adjustments toward God we are going to miss the mark.

To sight in my bow, I must practice, make adjustments, measure the yardage, and keep moving the pins until I am on target and being consistent. Living a life that seeks God is the same way.
You can't be a healthy, growing, mature, and faithful Christian if you are guessing your way through life. If you are just aiming at anything and everything. If you settle on a less accurate life. If there are obstacles in the way of the target you aren't going to hit the mark.

So many people in this world, want to gamble with eternity. They want to say they believe in God, go to church, and/or don't kill or hurt people so they think goodness is going to get them in Heaven. Eternity is not about our goodness, but God's. Salvation is free, but at a cost. We can freely receive God's grace by repenting, seeking, and giving our lives to God and being baptized, but that is only the beginning.

Once we accept God, we must begin to set our sights, make adjustments, and set our sights on God. Just like sports, music, or any hobby, you must practice, gain discipline, and strive to become proficient or you will fail and fall short. Christian faith is the same way. We must Aim for God or we'll miss Him every time.

Faithful or Fanatic?

Fanatic or Faithful?

Did anyone catch the story during the olympics about the "Dancing Priest" Cornelius "Neil" Horan? He is the odd looking guy dressed in a kilt who claims to be a catholic priest, that ran out on the track during a 2003 British Grand Prix and also ran out at distracted a runner during the marathon at the 2004 Olympics in Athens?

This guy still wears his priest collar, but was kicked out of the catholic church. He is so consumed with his beliefs, that He goes to extreme behaviors to get the message out. He has a big distaste for sports, because he believes that people worship sports and athletes more than they do God, which there is some truth in that, so that is why he used those events to try and get his message out. He also dances in the streets of London with signs proclaiming the end of the world is coming.

He goes to extremes for his beliefs, putting himself in harms way and really in many ways being eccentric, overboard, crazy, and fanatical in his appearance & methods. It's one thing to have strong convictions and beliefs, but where do we cross the line from being faithful to fanatical?
Most of the religious turmoil we have in the world is because people from many religions become fanatical about their beliefs to the point of protesting, blowing stuff up, and even killing people for their cause.

How do we as Christians stand up for our faith or remain faithful to God while still trying to stand up for what is right, share our faith, or show the world the truth.

I think we have to get back to basics. We have to go back to the Bible. We have to look at Jesus' example. He was radical, but not irrational. He was stood up to opposition, but with facts and truth not emotion or pride. He disagreed with people, but showed them the truth in love. In His ministry He wanted to show people how to seek God, find the truth, and change their attitude, but He didn't blow up buildings, protest, kill people, or draw negative attention to himself, God, or the church.

It's right for us to be against abortion, homosexuality, and other tough issues, but we defeat the message if we get so consumed with the issue, we forget the main thing, God. We must honor God, show His love to others, and be His light. We can't be His light if we take our cause or passion overboard to the extent of hurting others, or giving God or His church a bad name.
We are representing God and His kingdom, while on earth. My interpretation of scripture is God wants us to share the truth, but share it with conviction not abusively. Share it with love not hate. Share it with firmness, but not crudeness. There is a fine line between passion and obsession.

The dancing wannabe former priest guy might really believe in all the things he does, but I think He's doing more harm than good. I think people see him and it makes the church and God look bad. We forget we are God's messengers, the message we preach with our actions and attitude in our daily lives is what the outside world perceives of God and the church. The old saying is, "We are the only Jesus some people will ever see", which leaves the question, what are they seeing? Are they really seeing God for who He is and what He has to offer or are they seeing people who are hateful, judgemental, violent, arrogant, weird, or just plain crazy? We must not compromise the truth by fanatical behavior. We must be faithful to the message of God.

"Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth."
I Corinthians 13:6(NIV)

If you're happy and you know it

IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT

I won't make you clap your hands, stomp your feet, or say "Amen", but you may remember this song from children's church or vbs growing up back in the day?

It's a song telling us to show it if we're happy. It's a song really to make you feel happy. The thing about happiness is it is just that, a feeling. It's conditional, it changes like the weather and is based upon what we have, don't have, get, don't get, want, don't want, or who we are or aren't around?

You can be happy and sad in the same day. You can be happy one minute and mad the next. You can be happy today and depressed tomorrow.
Society and the world teach us life is too short, live life to the fullest, do what makes you happy, don't think about the consequences. Or don't worry, be happy, blah blah blah, yadayadayada. It's misleading and false. Life isn't about being happy. Life is about having purpose, meaning, value, and finding peace and contentment. These things can make us happy more often, but they are not about happiness alone.

God wants us to be happy, but God didn't create us for our happiness. I would be bold enough to say God isn't happy all the time either. His people(me, for example), disobey, dissapoint, sin, fall short, turn our backs, aren't faithful, lie, disrespect, misuse our time and talents, etc...the list is endless of the things we do to go against God's plan, purpose, and direction for our lives, and I can't imagine in my small mind that can make God happy with us at times.

Don't get me wrong I like being happy, but I'm coming to realize life isn't about being happy as much as it is being joyful. I can have joy in God even when I'm mad, sad, depressed, angry, or hurt. I can find peace, contentment, and purpose in God even when I'm not getting my way, people are hurting me, and life isn't going the way I had hoped, or I fall short. The Bible doesn't promise happy, it promises joy, hope, eternal life, purpose, etc....

We need to stop being people that think we are supposed to be happy all the time and stop focusing on ourselves, our wants, and our agendas and realize we should appreciate the happy times and seek to find happiness, but happiness is not the goal or ultimate prize. Happiness is a product of my feelings at the time or the conditions of that moment in time, but I can always have Joy, peace, hope, purpose, meaning, value, and promise in a relationship with God that is honest, real, everlasting, and true.

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
John 15:11(NIV)

Vomit Breath

Vomit Breath

"As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly."
Proverbs 26:11(NIV)

If you've ever seen a dog do this, it's not pretty. It's bad enough they lick their own butt and sniff other dog's backside(how would you like that instead of a friendly handshake or greeting). But, a dog will barf and then many times eat it again.

This is what wise solomon is trying to tell us happens with fools who keep repeating the same mistakes. It makes no sense to keep making the same mistakes repeatedly, but we do it, i do it. We return to eat our vomit.

We keep returning to the abusive & cheating spouse, we keep hanging out with the same friends who bring us down, we keep going back to the same places that get us in trouble. We spend too much time with a person we are emotionally attracted to when we know they or us are married and it will lead to nothing but hurt and trouble for many people. We keep cheating, lying, stealing, deceiving, justifying, making excuses, and then returning.

No matter how big or small the pile of vomit, it's still vomit folks! One bite or ten doesn't change the taste of vomit. It doesn't change the fact that we keep returning to the scene of the crime. Instead of learning from our mistakes, accepting the consequences of our situation, seeking God's guidance, or moving forward, we return. We don't learn, accept, move, or seek, we return to feast.

We simply keep returning, why? I don't know, Sin? Selfish? Unrealistic intentions? Human nature? Confused? Ignorant? Living in the past? Probably all the above and more. I think it differs with each individual. The key is for us to realize we are returning and take steps to stop returning.

They say the defintion of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Going back repeatedly to the same thing or the same place or the same person(s) that is hurting us, destroying us, confusing us, and hindering us is not going to help. We have to start there.

Sometimes we simply need to surrender truly to God and stop running, hiding, or making excuses. Sometimes we need the help of our church family or friends because we are not strong enough on our own, and in more serious cases, we really need to seek out professional help. Whatever the case, join me in striving to stop returning to and eating my own vomit.

Fantasy Island

Fantasy Island

Some of you may remember the show from the late 70's and early 80's by this name with Mr. Roake and his sidekick midget tattoo (de plane, de plane). This was about an island somewhere in the pacific where people would pay to come and stay and live out their fantasies, whatever it may have been.

Obviously, in reality a place like this couldn't or doesn't exist, but that doesn't stop many people from living in a fantasy world:

-People 40 thinking they have the athletic ability they did when they were 20
-fat people saving their skinny clothes like they will get their size 16 back into a 4 or their size 48 waste back in a 34
-a lonely woman returning to an abusive husband, thinking he will stop hitting her or the kids
-a optimistic man thinking this is the last time his chronic lying girlfriend will stop cheating on him
-a person being abused thinking they can pretend it never happened or it will stop or go away
-tone deaf person who thinks they can sing trying out for American idol or the praise team at church

Our fanasty world's can be big or small. They can be major or minor issues. They can be issues of denial, taste, preference, desperation, or ignorance.

People can really get out of touch with reality. Whether its something small like thinking that outfit they were 20 years ago still fits and is still in style or it can be serious like thinking you can fix a person in a relationship who won't fix themselves.

One this is certain, we must not be people of fantasy, but people of reality. It's ok to have dreams, it's not ok to have unhealthy fantasies. It's ok to admit our faults or work on our mistakes, it's not ok to live life in denial of abuse, betrayal, or neglect.

We can't pretend everything is ok, when it's not. We can't pretend something doesn't exist until it goes away, because it won't. We can heal, but healing doesn't mean accepting. We can forgive, but forgiveness doesn't always mean reconcilliation. We can learn from our mistakes, but learning doesn't mean lying to ourselves. We can be honest, but honesty doesn't mean hiding the truth or justifying for ourselves or others.

As individuals, as christians, and as churches, we must be careful we are not living in a fantasy world. We must strive to be honest with God and ourselves. We must stand up for what is right without compromising the truth. Christianity doesn't mean we are a door mat to be walked on or so naive we get abused, taken advantage of, or walked on.

As a church, we must address problems, not sweep them under the rug thinking they will go away. Leadership requires tough decisions at times. We must protect the church not wound it.
In relationships, we must face problems not run from them. In faith, we must accept God's will not try to go around Him. We need to stop living in a fantasy world and start living in the reality of God. If God is our reality, there is no fantasy.

"the reality, however is found in Christ."
Colossians 2:17b(NIV)

Balance of Life

BALANCE OF LIFE

Alexander "Sasha" Artemev is the Son of a former Soviet Union gymnasts. He came to US in 1994 with his parents. He was a alternate on this year's Men's US olympic medal team, but was able to compete due to Hamm brothers injuries. His routine in the Pommel Horse gave the US Men's team a Bronze medal and they weren't even thought to have a chance to compete for a medal. The US actually had to use 2 alternates due to injuries.

What amazed me about this young guy was how he was not only able to overcome past mistakes that made him an alternate in the first place, the teams injuries, and the pressure on performing at the olympics, but He performed with precision, calmness, and balance. That is what really amazed me about all the gymnasts, both male and female, and on all the different routines is how much they are able to maintain balance. It takes tremendous physical strength and mental strength to do this not only on the pommel horse, but high bar, uneven bars, floor exercise, rings, balance beam, and vault to name a few. I can't even hardly tie my shoes without falling over.

It reminded me of how we truly have alot in our lives to balance. We live in a world where we must balance work, relationships, hobbies, spirituality, and everything in between. Some of us are good at it, while others fail miserable.

God doesn't really expect us all too be olympic athletes, but we could learn alot about their work ethic, commitment, training, determination, overcoming obstacles, and concentration. The key is balance.

Our key to a healthy life spiritually is balance. We need to have a balance in our lives. We can't work 80 hours a week and spend no time with our spouses or kids. We can't spend 5 nights a week at ballgames and give God 1 hour on Sunday and expect to grow. We can't spend countless hours on the internet surfing the web and then give God minutes for prayer, devotion, or bible reading. The key is balance.

We must create and maintain balance in our lives. Start in small areas and work our way up. Take small steps before we take leaps. Start by volunteering to serve more at church, by eliminating some unnecessary hobbies, creating date nights with your spouse or family nights with your kids. Volunteer less for overtime at work or simply stop working extra hours that you aren't required to work. Limit your kids to how many activities they can do a school year. Limit yourself to the amount of committees, organizations, or groups you volunteer to. Make time for recreation and rest.

The key is balance. Healthy balance. Balance gives you rest, stability, less stress, less to remember, more quality time, and is not only good for your physically, but spiritually. God does deserve more of our time, but He doesn't want you in 20 ministries or at the church 7 days a week. He does want and deserve our time for worship, listening, study, prayer, and quality service not quantity service.

Today take steps to become more balanced in your life. Set goals, work on self-discipline, become more self-less, find ways to maintain healthy work ethic, healthy relationships, healthy schedule, and a healthy personal walk with God. That type of balance may not make you an olympic medalist, but you'll win the ultimate prize.

"But Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be give to you as well."

Matthew 6:33(NIV)

Church Complainer

Church Complainer

"Do everything without complaining or arguing"
Philippians 2:14(NIV)

Boy, that's a tough one, I just stepped on my own toes, I am so clumbsy! I know about complaining because I am a recovering complainer that has relapses, and i don't like it because I don't like when people complain to me or about the church. I'm not complaining about complainers, i'm trying to make us realize we need to change.

People complain about stuff that doesn't really matter, they complain about stuff that makes them uncomfortable, or isn't their preference, or is something they've not taken the time to research, understand, or give time. It can be so discouraging to a person, a family, a workplace, a relationship, and a church when people want to constantly complain about everything.
The grass isn't green enough, the sky isn't blue enough, and everything in between. Something, I've had to accept is that everything doesn't have to be my way and it's ok. I've also had to accept that others haven't realized that themselves yet.

Churches are notorious for people who want to complain about everything in the church and 99.9% of it is stuff that doesn't matter? Stop having Sunday Morning services, stop using the bible, tell others Jesus isn't the only way to God, then you can complain. Those are essentials. We should complain about legitimate issues, but not opinions, preferences, or non-essentials to salvation.

People complain because churches don't sing the old songs, or too many new ones. People complain because the church doesn't work around or cater to them or their families schedule. People complain because churches don't have traditional meeting times and places, or they no longer do things the way we've always done them. People get comfortable and complacement and that is a breeding ground for complaining when things change.

I find the solution rather simple, STOP! Get over it! Or go find a church that does things the way they've always done them and isn't changing(I also bet they are dying). Or be mature enough to accept the changes and realize God and the church is bigger than your wants, and maybe the church has a bigger mission and purpose to accomodate and reach more people? Start helping and stop complaining! We've got to stop majoring in the minors and start being a part of a church family that is relevent, serving, leading, and reaching out.

We are constanly updating our vehicles, houses, clothing, our technology to keep up with the times. We adapt and adjust constantly, why do we expect the church to stay in the dark ages to fuel our comfort zone? God calls us to be a New Testament church, that means our foundation and principles are in the New Testament, not our ways, traditions, or methods. The churches model is not the 50's or 60's or the 70's or 80's. The churches model is the bible and freedom in Christ. The church must keep the message the same, but adapt our methods so that we can keep reaching lost people and keep feeding our members.

Join me in striving to be one less complainer in the church. Use your voice to share the gospel, encourge someone, be positive, or stand up for what is right. Don't let Satan use complaining to blind you or hurt your church family. We all can do better, let's begin today.